“When I address the question, “What should I do if I don’t desire God?” I am addressing the question: “How can I obtain or recover a joy in Christ that is so deep and so strong that it will free me from bondage to Western comforts and security, and will impel me into sacrifices of mercy and missions, and will sustain me in the face of martyrdom?” Persecution is normal for Christians. “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

Maybe you feel, as I have, that being involved with the persecuted church only through prayer is the easy way of standing with our persecuted family. Is it? Is it too easy to say a prayer for Pauline Ayyad, whose 27-year-old husband was killed in Gaza, as she now struggles to raise their children alone? I recently met with a couple from Oklahoma who offered me some new insight into prayer for the persecuted church. Amanda had read VOM’s newsletter and knew something about persecution. But until she began regularly praying for the persecuted, “It didn’t make a difference in my life. Praying puts a face on the people you are praying for,” she says.Amanda’s husband, Jay, agrees. Their relationship has been strengthened by the times they have spent praying for the persecuted church. He says giving through prayer is sometimes harder than giving financially, because in prayer you are giving of your time. “Sometimes it is easier to write a check than to really pray,” he says. “Sacrificial giving must be accompanied by prayer.” It’s hard for giving to be out of a right spirit if it is not supplemented by prayer. True intercession is not easy, he added. “Prayer is humbling work, because you never see the fruit of your labor. You never get any credit for your work, and your name is never mentioned.”But, as believers know and persecuted believers attest, prayer for those being persecuted is vital. Though it is now a mystery to us exactly how God uses prayer, throughout Scripture we are commanded to pray without ceasing on behalf of our brothers and sisters. Jay and Amanda suggest getting together in a group to pray with others. The group provides accountability to keep praying as well as encouragement and new energy as participants persevere in prayer. “God will develop your heart for Him though prayer.”It is a challenge for me, and I hope it is a challenge for you, too. Together we can reach out sacrificially through prayer and touch our suffering brothers and sisters.

Yesterday as I was reading through my email I came across this great quote in my Extreme Devotion email and it really struck me. It struck me so much because recently I purchased a very cool new audio drama bible and I kept hearing part of the audio drama from Matthew 4 where Jesus is tempted by Satan.

How’s this for evangelism speed training? One evangelist in a North African country has a proven method for training young believers how to witness to Muslims: A seven-hour train ride between two cities. Here’s how it works: The evangelist, we’ll call him Abdul, takes two evangelism students on the train. They begin by pulling out a guitar and playing and singing Christian songs. Travelers can’t avoid the music, so they usually engage the Christians in conversation. Abdul says at first, the two students are usually taken aback by the frank conversations. They usually shrink back, hoping to avoid the negative consequences of talking about the Jesus Christ of the Bible. Eventually, they see how earnest the hearts of the questioners are and join in the conversation. The conversations usually last for the entirety of the trip. By the time they reach their destination, Abdul’s two students are confidently able to share their faith.

Yesterday I highlighted one of the families who lost their father during the tragedy that happened in Turkey earlier this year. Today, I want to share with you another family that was also impacted by the horrific events of that day.

The picture that you are looking at is the martyr that we mentioned in the previous post. This is Necadi Aydin who was slaughtered in Turkey earlier this year. What you may not know is that Necadi converted to Christianity from Islam and as a result had to leave his entire family in order to pursue Christ. The following is a letter he wrote to his Muslim family regarding his decision to follow Jesus. As you read this, please pray that his family would come to see that Jesus is the Christ and that Allah is a false god they are serving. Pray for their salvation and that as they remember him that they will someday be reunited with him in the presence of Christ.

Yesterday I read this story from Compass Direct and it really touched my heart. I wanted to alert you to a real example of the suffering that continues after a faithful Christian is martyred for their faith in Christ.